Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra
Events & News
Summer Session begins Sunday, April 3
Summer session rehearsals begin this weekend. We will meet at Mankato East High School for the first rehearsal. All following rehearsals will take place at the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center at Bethany Lutheran College. Registration will remain open through Saturday, April 2.
First Rehearsal Information:
Location: Mankato East High School, 2600 Hoffmann Rd, Mankato MN 56001
Pops Orchestra rehearsal: 1:00-2:30 PM
Percussion Ensemble rehearsal: 2:45-3:30 PM
Summer Session Registration is Open!
We are excited to return to offer some new programming for our Summer Session. In addition to our usual Pops Orchestra, we will be offering a Percussion and Jazz ensemble. All ensembles are non-auditioned and offered at a flat rate of $25 per ensemble. Students of all ages and playing experience are encouraged to join. A minimum of one year of lessons or ensemble experience and note reading is recommended. Rehearsals begin Sunday, April 3. Scholarships are available.
POPS ORCHESTRA is open to string, wind, and percussion student musicians of all playing abilities. Selections for this orchestra will be drawn from movie and popular culture. Rehearsals are 1.5 hours on Sundays.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE is open to any student regardless of whether they play percussion. Students will prepare 1-3 pieces for the final concert. Percussion ensemble is a great way to develop rhythm and counting skills as well as try out some fun percussion instruments! Rehearsal is 45 minutes on Sundays.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE is a great chance for students to get introduced to jazz or continue their studies. Students will learn basics of jazz improvisation and music theory. No previous experience is needed and all instruments are welcome. Rehearsal is 1.25 hours on Sundays.
Questions? Email Executive Director David Stordalen at info@mayso.net.
Previous Events
Spring Concerts: Symphonic Sensations
Saturday, March 12, 2022 | 2:00 P.M.
Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop High School
1001 Cottonwood St
Winthrop, MN 55396
Sunday, March 13, 2022 | 3:00 P.M.
Trinity Chapel, Bethany Lutheran College
Luther Dr
Mankato, MN 56001
The MAYSO Concerto Competition is canceled for the 2021-2022 season.
Fall Concerts: Women's Work
Saturday, November 13 | 2:00 p.m.
Blue Earth Area Senior High School
1125 N Grove St
Blue Earth, MN 56013
Sunday, November 14 | 3:00 p.m.
Loyola Catholic School
145 Good Counsel Dr
Mankato, MN 56001
Ensembles
North Star Strings (NSS) is our introductory strings only orchestra. The goal of this ensemble is to introduce students to ensemble playing and help develop note reading. Students in this orchestra should have a minimum of 1 year of private lessons and should be able to read music. All students who apply are accepted into this ensemble.
Youth Philharmonic (YP) is our intermediate ensemble open to wind, percussion, and string musicians. YP students can expect to see more challenging key signatures (up to 4 flats or sharps), challenging rhythms, and shift into higher positions. These students will typically have between 3-6 years of experience on their instrument and may have prior ensemble experience.
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) is our most advanced ensemble offered to wind, percussion, and string musicians. YSO students will typically 4 or more years of experience on their instrument and have had prior ensemble experience. Repertoire for YSO will be selected from advanced high school or introductory collegiate level works.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestras is to educate young musicians in a professional symphony atmosphere, to give opportunity to perform a wide variety of symphonic music, and to provide a variety of music education formats. It is our purpose to help prepare the young musician for participation in the world of symphonic music, either as a professional musician or as a patron of the arts.
The Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra has been presenting concerts in our communities and teaching students for 54 years.
We now offer several unique opportunities for students to play music including Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic, North Star Strings, Chamber Orchestra, Summer Orchestra, and Summer Jazz.